Blogs

Exploring External Motors: Designs and Applications

From flying to drilling, all the rotational machines need compatible external motors to function perfectly. Without these motors, one can’t expect all these machines to work at all. Their performance is consistent because of how the electromagnetic system works inside them. Therefore, we can see countless motor applications in every industry, especially in automation and robotics. Both these industries are rapidly advancing to become more powerful than ever before. Since EVs and drones have entered the mainstream industry, everything has changed. The heart of all these machines needs rotational operations, and these operations can be performed only by external motors. Here is how they work, and all their types are.

External Motor Types

When it comes to operations where turbines, fans, and drill machines need continuous rotation, external motors do the main job. They contain a magnetic system that supports the conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy with the help of stators, rotors, brushes, and various other components. The stator remains still in the process, while the rotor moves all the time. Both contribute to the magnetic force generation process, whether it is about a tiny motor or an entire turbine. Usually, external motors are found in almost every rotational device that needs electromagnetic operations for continuous rotation. Here are some of their types you can find in the industry.

AC Motor

An AC motor runs on AC current to create a magnetic field through the coils installed in it. The conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy takes place when two magnetic fields interact with each other. There is a magnetic field in the rotor, and the stator further interacts with it to generate torque for rotational movement. It is called electromagnetic induction, and an AC motor contains a reversed direction of it. 

Here, the rotor creates its own magnetic field inside, and the stator runs on AC current. The stator constantly changes direction to force the rotor to move. That is how an AC motor works, and it makes it popular and the most cost-effective choice for many household and industrial machines. 

DC Motor

Then one of the two main external motor types comes, and it is a DC motor. It runs on DC current to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. Its conductor carries DC current, and enters the magnetic field to create torque for the rotational movement. Here, the direction is not reversed, unlike the AC type. Inside a DC motor, a rotating armature interacts with a stationary magnetic field to start the rotational movement of the motor, and this is how it goes. Besides, there are sub-categories of DC external motors, and they are brushed and brushless motors. 

Brushed DC Motor

These DC motors have carbon brushes installed in them, which also work as voltage terminals. They supply the current to the motor, which then creates a magnetic field inside the stator. Both the rotor and the stator do exactly what a DC motor is supposed to do. However, a brushed DC motor has less speed than modern motors. Therefore, it is common in basic or old technologies where less speed, efficiency, and initial cost are required. Also, this type is less durable than the next type.

Brushless DC Motor 

The next one is a brushless DC motor, which is way more advanced than the brushed one. What makes it better than the previous version is the absence of carbon brushes. Instead, it has an electronic chip that supplies current and also helps users to control the operations however they want. Brushless DC motors have high-speed operations, and they are also more durable. Although their initial cost is higher, the results are more efficient. Also, they need less maintenance, especially because they don’t have carbon brushes. Besides, their power-to-weight ratio is better than that of brushed DC motors. 

External Motor Applications

Wherever the rotational function is required, external motors are the first choice. They are proven and successful motors, and every manufacturer chooses them for cost-effective results. Therefore, 

HVAC Systems, Washing Machines, and Power Tools

Many households, commercial, and industrial machines contain AC motors because of their simple operation. AC motors provide a simple solution in rotational operations, which is why they still haven’t been replaced in many machines. They are durable, consistent, and also a cost-effective solution for HVAC systems and washing machines. Power tools usually contain DC motors.

EVs and Drones

Then, the most advanced applications are EVs and drones in the present era. These are the most trending technologies that are replacing countless traditional technologies. Since both need rotational operations to function, they rely on DC motors, especially the brushless DC motors. The efficiency, speed, durability, and even compatibility with modern software are the best in DC motors. Their electromagnetic operations keep the rotors moving, and the rotational operations get consistent results. It may go further ahead because electric vehicles and drones are only becoming better to offer lightweight and faster results. Whether it is just the general sector or the arm industry, both require DC motors for fast-speed operations.  

Industrial Robots

Since automation is rapidly taking over the industries, DC motors are also needed by this sector. Robotic arms also need DC motors to perform rotational activities in repetition. The electromagnetic operations keep the robots going in the management of goods transferred from one position to another. From tiny to large logistics robots, all contain DC motors, especially the brushless type. The results are impressive in fast production centers and packaging ones. 

Conclusion

Simple external motors have been supporting industries for ages, and it seems like nothing is replacing them so far. Both AC and DC motors are compatible with almost every rotational machine, especially with EVs, robots, drones, and general power tools. Besides these advanced technologies, many classic rotational machines have been relying on, and still rely on, these external motors. It shows the durability, consistency, and efficiency of these external motors.

Leave Your Comments